>> well we certainly see this more anxiety as the clock counts down the fiscal cliff. i think the words coming out of washington are more positive than they've been in the past few years and more productive and despite that uncertainty we're finding that consumers are planning to spend 2% or 3% more this holiday season. i think if that gets settled sooner than later you'll see a big pick up in spending and consumer confidence. >> i heard some small businesses say look we'll put off hiring until we know washington has worked all of this out. >> i think that's an important point. small businesses are cautious. we also know small businesses account for almost half the employment in the united states today. they account for two-thirds of the job creation. we have a problem with jobs because small businesses are cautious. the more we can do to help support them and improve their confidence the better off we'll all be. >> why isn't shopping at a small business particularly a local one important? who benefits if that? >> clearly the small business will. but it's also importan